5 - Freedom Call - Hard to see them lose that spot but a handful of bands still could do it4 - Alestorm - Yarr!4 - Battle Beast - Loved them live4 - Insomnium - I really hope to be able to catch both their sets this time4 - Korpiklaani - Party Metal!4 - Sabaton - Would be the 5 if it wasn't for Freedom Call4 - Threshold - Love their current album3 - Dark Tranquillity - Not my favorite Melodic Death band but will most likely see both sets anyway3 - Masterplan - Don't own an album but really liked them live3 - Rhapsody - Loved them as a kid, second set depends on how good the first one will be2 - Aeternam - Listened to some songs, they seem to be alright2 - Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - Always fun to watch, not a priority2 - Evergrey - Interesting band but probably won't make it to more than one set2 - In Extremo - Seen them way too often, one set will be enough2 - Naglfar - Not one of my favorites but still decent 2 - Primal Fear - Although there can never be enough Power Metal this will be another 1-setter2 - Samael - Loving Eternal, second set really depends on what they play2 - Sonata Arctica - Solid live band, one set will be enough2 - Swallow The Sun - A little too doomy for my liking but will check at least one set2 - Wolfchant - Never seen them live, might like them might not1 - Goatwhore - Might check some songs if nothing else is happening1 - Gyze - I did like their riffs but the singer is horrible1 - Kreator - Not a fan of the genre but they are decent live. Will chill in the yakuzi if they get a pool deck set1 - October Tide - Doom usually bores me to death (heh) but I'll give them a chance if I can1 - Obscura - Might catch a song or two1 - Sepultura - 15 years ago this might have been my 50 - Aborted - Don't care0 - Benediction - Listened to "I Bow To None". Made me laugh... not in the good way0 - Benighted - Meh0 - Beyond Creation - They seem to be decent but I just don't care for the genre0 - Cannibal Corpse - Meh0 - Enslaved - Didn't like the songs I listened to0 - Exciter - Not excited0 - Messhugah - Nope0 - Metal Church - Saw them last time they were onbroad, wasn't impressed0 - Necrophobic - Nope0 - Septicflesh - Nope0 - Voivod - Not interested0 - Witchery - Whatever0 - Wolfheart - Saw them at Wacken, awful

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - Freedom Call - Hard to see them lose that spot but a handful of bands still could do it4 - Alestorm - Yarr!4 - Battle Beast - Loved them live4 - Insomnium - I really hope to be able to catch both their sets this time4 - Korpiklaani - Party Metal!4 - Sabaton - Would be the 5 if it wasn't for Freedom Call4 - Threshold - Love their current album3 - Amberian Dawn - Never seen them live, will try to catch both sets if they play different songs3 - Dark Tranquillity - Not my favorite Melodic Death band but will most likely see both sets anyway3 - Masterplan - Don't own an album but really liked them live3 - Rhapsody - Loved them as a kid, second set depends on how good the first one will be2 - Aeternam - Listened to some songs, they seem to be alright2 - Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - Always fun to watch, not a priority2 - Evergrey - Interesting band but probably won't make it to more than one set2 - In Extremo - Seen them way too often, one set will be enough2 - Naglfar - Not one of my favorites but still decent 2 - Primal Fear - Although there can never be enough Power Metal this will be another 1-setter2 - Samael - Loving Eternal, second set really depends on what they play2 - Sonata Arctica - Solid live band, one set will be enough2 - Swallow The Sun - A little too doomy for my liking but will check at least one set2 - Wolfchant - Never seen them live, might like them might not1 - Goatwhore - Might check some songs if nothing else is happening1 - Gyze - I did like their riffs but the singer is horrible1 - Kreator - Not a fan of the genre but they are decent live. Will chill in the yakuzi if they get a pool deck set1 - October Tide - Doom usually bores me to death (heh) but I'll give them a chance if I can1 - Obscura - Might catch a song or two1 - Sepultura - 15 years ago this might have been my 50 - Aborted - Don't care0 - Benediction - Listened to "I Bow To None". Made me laugh... not in the good way0 - Benighted - Meh0 - Beyond Creation - They seem to be decent but I just don't care for the genre0 - Cannibal Corpse - Meh0 - Enslaved - Didn't like the songs I listened to0 - Exciter - Not excited0 - Messhugah - Nope0 - Metal Church - Saw them last time they were onbroad, wasn't impressed0 - Necrophobic - Nope0 - Septicflesh - Nope0 - Voivod - Not interested0 - Witchery - Whatever0 - Wolfheart - Saw them at Wacken, awful

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - Rhapsody - Bucket. List. Band.4 - Aeternam - Cannot wait to see them.4 - Dark Tranquillity - One of my favourite bands. Cannot see them live enough.4 - Freedom Call - Missed one set in 2014 due to a clash, enjoyed the hell out of the 2nd. Bucket. List. Band.4 - Sabaton - Haven't been a huge fan of the last 2 albums, but still love them.4 - Sonata Arctica - Recent output has been patchy, but I still love them.3 - Alestorm - yes they are fun, but seen them enough.3 - Amberian Dawn - not a huge fan, but its my thing.3 - Battle Beast - Not a huge fan, but looking forward to at least 1 set if not 23 - Insomnium - Not my thing, but hope to catch 1 set.3 - Korpiklaani - Seen them multiple times, not a massive fan, but will catch a set.3 - Masterplan - Don't own an album but will check them out.3 - Primal Fear - Never been a huge fan, but will catch a set.3 - Sirenia - Not a huge fan, but its my thing.3 - Threshold - Very nearly a 4.2 - Evergrey - Not a huge fan.2 - Samael - Not a fan.2 - Septicflesh - Dont mind these guys. May catch a set.2 - Swallow The Sun -Will check at least one set1 - Cannibal Corpse - Like the guys, may catch a set.1 - Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - Not a fan.1 - In Extremo - Not a fan.1 - Kreator - Not a fan, but may catch a few songs.1 - Messhugah - Don't hate them. May catch a set.1 - Metal Church - May catch a set.1 - Obscura - Not a fan, but may catch a few songs.1 - October Tide - Not a fan, but may catch a few songs.1 - Voivod - Nice guys, not a fan of the music though.1 - Wolfchant - Not a fan.0 - Aborted - Don't care0 - Benediction - Nope.0 - Benighted - Meh0 - Beyond Creation - Nope.0 - Enslaved - Nope.0 - Exciter - Nup.0 - Exhumed. Nup.0 - Goatwhore - Nope.0 - Gyze - Nope.0 - Naglfar - Nope.0 - Necrophobic - Nope0 - Sepultura - Nope.0 - Sinister - Meh.0 - Witchery - Noooope0 - Wolfheart - Nup.

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - Freedom Call - Hard to see them lose that spot but a handful of bands still could do it4 - Alestorm - Yarr!4 - Battle Beast - Loved them live4 - Insomnium - I really hope to be able to catch both their sets this time4 - Korpiklaani - Party Metal!4 - Sabaton - Would be the 5 if it wasn't for Freedom Call4 - Threshold - Love their current album3 - Amberian Dawn - Not one of my favorites but one of my favorite genres3 - Dark Tranquillity - Not my favorite Melodic Death band but will most likely see both sets anyway3 - Masterplan - Don't own an album but really liked them live3 - Rhapsody - Loved them as a kid, second set depends on how good the first one will be3 - Sirenia - Not one of my favorites but one of my favorite genres2 - Aeternam - Listened to some songs, they seem to be alright2 - Die Apokalyptischen Reiter - Always fun to watch, not a priority2 - Evergrey - Interesting band but probably won't make it to more than one set2 - In Extremo - Seen them way too often, one set will be enough2 - Naglfar - Not one of my favorites but still decent2 - Primal Fear - Although there can never be enough Power Metal this will be another 1-setter2 - Samael - Loving Eternal, second set really depends on what they play2 - Sonata Arctica - Solid live band, one set will be enough2 - Swallow The Sun - A little too doomy for my liking but will check at least one set2 - Wolfchant - Never seen them live, might like them might not1 - Goatwhore - Might check some songs if nothing else is happening1 - Gyze - I did like their riffs but the singer is horrible1 - Kreator - Not a fan of the genre but they are decent live. Will chill in the yakuzi if they get a pool deck set1 - October Tide - Doom usually bores me to death (heh) but I'll give them a chance if I can1 - Obscura - Might catch a song or two1 - Sepultura - 15 years ago this might have been my 50 - Aborted - Don't care0 - Benediction - Listened to "I Bow To None". Made me laugh... not in the good way0 - Benighted - Meh0 - Beyond Creation - They seem to be decent but I just don't care for the genre0 - Cannibal Corpse - Meh0 - Enslaved - Didn't like the songs I listened to0 - Exciter - Not excited0 - Exhumed - What a waste of an E announcement0 - Messhugah - Nope0 - Metal Church - Saw them last time they were onbroad, wasn't impressed0 - Necrophobic - Nope0 - Septicflesh - Nope0 - Voivod - Not interested0 - Witchery - Whatever0 - Wolfheart - Saw them at Wacken, awful

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

Lineup so far is good...don't get me wrong....but I've got to admit to being a little disappointed. If someone told me a few months ago that Goatwhore was going to be my "5" ranking this far into the announcements I would have laughed. I've gotten a lot of bands off my wish list this year so I definitely can't complain but looking over my rankings I'm realizing a lot of the bands I was listing as two setters will probably only be one setters. So I'm adjusting my rankings to some more realistic numbers.

Last years lineup was insane with far more bigger names (Anthrax, Testament, Amorphis, Arch Enemy, Carcass etc.). There are probably 15 bands from that lineup that I would rank ahead of everything from this year so far. Hopefully Andy has a surprise or two up his sleeve. I'm hoping for one more band that's truly worthy of the 5 ranking (Hypocrisy, Gojira, Abbath or Amon Amarth would fit the bill nicely) .

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlappings - similar to '1/2'2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'0 - 0 sets, not interested at all - similar to '0' (but might pass by to see how they play)